Iemma backs charges against parents

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NSW Premier Morris Iemma has indicated his support for
commonwealth anti-terrorism laws that leave parents vulnerable to
charges for sharing information with their spouse.

Under the federal government's anti-terror proposal, a parent
who is told that their child is being held under the laws
reportedly faces five years jail if they shared that knowledge with
their partner.

Asked today whether he supported the law, Mr Iemma said "I
support the detention orders".

"I went to Canberra ... to support in principle the proposals
that were put and to have in place a regime of safeguards and
accountability," the premier told reporters in Sydney.

He said he believed the penalty for the crime could be reduced
from five to two years.

"It is a proposal (and) they're not near finalisation," Mr Iemma
said.

"The latest advice I have is that they are considering a
proposal to go from five to two (years)."

He said the Commonwealth had not asked the states to replicate
these specific laws, which provide special conditions for detaining
those aged between 16 and 18.

Under the laws, a role is created for one parent or guardian in
the detention process.

That parent would be allowed up to two hours' daily contact,
with detention lasting up to two weeks, and any conversation
between the parent and the child would be monitored by the federal
police.

However, if the parent told their wife or husband that the child
had been detained as a terrorist suspect they would face jail.

Mr Iemma said of the Commonwealth's "extraordinary" anti-terror
powers had aspects that were "draconian".

"But the ... detention orders and the other measures that we
agreed to at COAG is what NSW and ... the other states ... will
legislate."

However, he reiterated his concern about the use of force
provision which would allow police to shoot-to-kill when acting
under a preventative detention order.